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Sarah Brenner, who has worked deeply within the government at the FDA and through the COVID crisis, explains her roles and perspectives. She notes that she was the chief medical officer for diagnostics and was detailed to support White House operations during the COVID-19 response for the Biden administration, with beginnings during the Trump administration.
When asked about her own vaccination status during her time at the FDA, Brenner states that she did not take the COVID-19 vaccine. Her primary reason was that it was unknown at the time what the biodistribution patterns of those products would be, and in particular what the excretion would be in breast milk. She expresses that this exposure was a major concern for her.
The interviewer suggests that events since then have confirmed Brenner’s choice, framing her stance as implying that it’s a bad idea for women who are pregnant to take the vaccine, while noting that the FDA still recommends it. Brenner responds by emphasizing the importance of being honest, open, and transparent in providing informed consent to patients about what the known and unknown, as well as probable and less probable, benefits and risks are of any medical intervention.
Throughout the discussion, Brenner highlights transparency as a central theme in medical decision-making and patient information. The exchange underscores tensions between evolving scientific understanding, regulatory recommendations, and individual risk considerations for pregnant individuals.